Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 122

Cordelia sat slumped at her desk, now changed into her cozy pajamas. Elbows planted firmly on the wood, she cradled her smartphone in her hands, awaiting a reply from the members of her social group chat.

Since yesterday, the question had been gnawing at her, who exactly was Everard? Even Sanderson, the guy who knew everyone in town, didn’t recognize the name. Could it be that Everard was a ghost, a figment of her Imagination?

This morning’s chat in the Pioneers Group sparked a realization, the group was a melting pot of professionals from various fields. Surely someone might know him, right?

But after she posted her question, the chat fell eerily silent.

After a torturous two–minute wait, a reply finally popped up.

Bland asked, [Lia, are you pulling our leg? How could you not know him?]

Cordelia blinked, her instincts telling her that Bland knew Everard. She typed back hastily, [Who is he?]

Silence fell over the group once again.

Just as she was about to probe further, another message came through.

Nolnterruptions said, [Never heard of him.]

Like an icebreaker, the message prompted a flurry of responses.

Pianoman said, [Nope, doesn’t ring a bell.]

Mathster replied, [A mystery to me.]

Painter said, [Who?]

Chef replied, [Not a clue.]

Others all replied, [No idea.]

Everyone chimed in except Louie Adams. Cordelia’s brow furrowed as she read the stream of ignorance, finally addressing Bland directly, [So, you’re the one who knows him, @Bland?]

Bland replied, [No, I definitely do not.]

was confused, texting. [?]

[Sorry, must’ve been a brain fart. Got the name

was speechless,

this and nobody knew

message – [If anyone

her phone aside and opened the book “The Periodic Table” that she’d borrowed from her grandmother. The technical jargon was

pages with a heavy sigh.

was comprehensive and had

double down on her efforts.

11:30 PM when Lorna brought her a cup of milk and honey. “Get some sleep, dear. You have

to good advice, nodded in agreement.

a new message popped up on

are you asking

She pondered for a moment before replying with the naked truth, (He’s my

No way. Is he in

replied, [Yes, do you know

a cryptic message: [Be careful around him in real life. Keep your distance.]

he mean by keeping her distance? They hadn’t even been

stay away from him, my heart literally

expected Louie to misunderstand, thinking she was waxing poetic about love, just as Lorna and Sanderson would. But

decide,

a moment’s thought, she responded: [Because “Love or Die” curse. Do

Louie went silent.

indicator blinked for another ten minutes, but still no message. Was there a

Louie’s response: I know. I’ll see

He

a glimmer of hope. Anyone else might have called him immediately, but Cordelia was patient

typed a single word

the phone down, dried her hair, and slipped into bed. Just as she was about to turn off the device, it rang, the sharp tone

Everard’s number. What could he want at this late hour?

more velvety than she remembered, greeted

nocturnal stillness, somehow more appealing. She hesitated

stated, his voice so soothing